Tripura CM Manik Saha announced that Rs 16.38 crore, illegally withdrawn from Agartala Municipal Corporation’s bank account using cloned cheques, will be returned. Opposition demands a central probe as the SIT investigates the high-profile fraud involving multiple states.
the Agartala Municipal Corporation (AMC), Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha announced in the Assembly on Tuesday that the nationalised bank concerned has assured the state government that the entire sum of Rs 16.38 crore, illegally withdrawn from AMC’s account through cloned cheques, will be restored.
Replying to queries raised by legislators, Chief Minister Saha clarified that the AMC bore no responsibility for the fraudulent withdrawals. He highlighted that the original cheques remained secure with the civic body while the counterfeit cheques were used by the fraudsters to siphon off funds.
“Through six cloned cheques, the fraudsters, who are believed to be operating from outside Tripura, managed to illegally withdraw over Rs 16.38 crore from AMC’s bank account. The bank has assured us that the full amount will be returned,” Saha stated.
Opposition’s Concerns and Demands for Central Probe
The matter was brought up in the Assembly by Congress MLA Gopal Roy, who pressed the government to provide clarity on the fraud. The opposition, including both the Congress and the CPI(M), launched a strong attack on the government, demanding a central probe to ensure accountability and transparency.
Tripura Pradesh Congress Committee (TPCC) President Asish Kumar Saha, addressing the media, urged the Chief Minister to guarantee an impartial investigation into the case. “We urge the Chief Minister to ensure a proper and fair probe into this fraud. The bank cleared cheques worth Rs 16.38 crore after verifying the signatures. Later, the funds were transferred into 78 different accounts before finally being consolidated into two accounts belonging to individuals in Delhi and Nagpur,” he claimed.
According to opposition leaders, the case not only reveals serious lapses in the banking system but also raises concerns about accountability and security in handling public money. They demanded that a central agency like the CBI or ED take charge of the investigation to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Investigation and Arrests
Tripura Police, acting swiftly, have already arrested a cashier of the UCO Bank branch in Agartala in connection with the fraud. The police registered a case after UCO Bank’s Zonal Manager, Sanjib Roy, lodged a complaint with the West Agartala police station, pointing out that cloned cheques had been used to withdraw funds illegally.
Initial investigation suggests that fraudsters forged the signature of a former AMC officer to execute the withdrawals. Investigators further revealed that the network operated from Hyderabad, making the case complex and interstate in nature.
SIT Formed to Probe the Scam
To strengthen the investigation, the state government has constituted a four-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the illegal withdrawal. The SIT is being led by West Tripura Additional Superintendent of Police (Urban), Dhruba Nath, who is tasked with reporting directly to the District Superintendent of Police, Namit Pathak.
The other members of the SIT include Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) of Sadar, Deba Prasad Roy; Inspector Rana Chatterjee, Officer-in-Charge of West Agartala Police Station; and Sub-Inspector Ranjit Das, the primary investigation officer in the case.
This dedicated team is expected to unravel the modus operandi of the fraudsters, trace the money trail across multiple states, and identify the key players behind the scam.
Government Assures Accountability
Chief Minister Saha, who also holds the Home portfolio, assured the Assembly that the state government would leave no stone unturned to bring the culprits to justice. He stressed that the AMC’s role was beyond suspicion as the original cheques were intact in its custody.
“This case reflects the growing menace of cyber and financial crimes, where highly sophisticated techniques are being used to dupe institutions. The government is committed to ensuring accountability and justice in this matter,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister also reassured the public that since the bank has agreed to return the siphoned-off amount, there will be no financial loss to the civic body or its operations.
Broader Implications
The scam has sparked debates on the safety of public funds, particularly at a time when digital and financial frauds are on the rise nationwide. Experts argue that the incident underscores the urgent need for stricter banking oversight, advanced fraud-detection mechanisms, and robust cyber-security measures in the financial system.
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As the SIT intensifies its probe and opposition parties demand central involvement, the case is poised to remain a hot topic in Tripura politics. With the assurance of fund recovery, the immediate crisis for the Agartala Municipal Corporation may be over, but the larger questions of accountability and systemic security still loom large.
